The midfield ace has been given limited opportunities in the first team, and fans have been questioning why Kagawa has been left out of the starting line-up in recent weeks.

Kagawa has established himself as a firm fan favourite at United but Moyes still thinks he needs to build up his match fitness before he'll be back at full strength, declaring his performance as satisfactory.

"He did OK [against Liverpool],” said Moyes after the club's Capital One Cup victory against the Anfield side.

"I thought he grew into the game a little bit more.

David Moyes explained Kagawa wasn't back at full fitness yet

“He did OK”

Manchester United boss David Moyes

"There were bits which I was pleased with, and bits where we were looking for a little bit more. Overall, he’s still getting back.

"A lot’s been said [about his lack of playing time], but I think most people who watched would say he’s still short of being really at full match fitness.”

The playmaker’s only other appearances this term have been in the Community Shield and the club's Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.